Treatment of Slaves at the Cape Flashcards
How was the method of acquiring slaves similar to TA
They were kidnapped, captured, sold to traders and forced to leave their families and homes
Did captured slaves speak the same language as their traders/owners
No
Where would they work on arrival in the Cape
Company Gardens that provided fresh fruit and veg for the settlers and ships passing the Cape
What was built to house the slaves
The Slave Lodge
How many slaves were in the Slave Lodge over its history
9000
Did only VOC own slaves
No, they were sold on to the free burger farmers
Discuss 5 points of slave living conditions
Slaves were bought and sold at discretion of farmer
Transferred from one owner to another without consent or compensation
Slaves had their names changed , identity was stripped
Curfew of 10pm, if late they had to carry a lantern
Not allowed to ride on horses or wagons
Discuss a further 5 points of slave living conditions
Banned from gathering outside church buildings while service was in progress
Not allowed to talk to each other on the street
Not allowed to move around freely
Very little time for family life - alone on farms
Placed in groups of different cultural backgrounds , unification almost impossible expected to understand Dutch from the start
Discuss 3 points of slave living conditions
Marriage was not allowed between slaves
Farmer could split partnerships and auction off to the highest bidder
Slaves including children forcibly removed from families
Slaves could not meet in bars, buy alcohol or form groups on public holidays
Punishment for misdemeanors was harsh, male slaves outnumbered their owners
What purpose does a surname or name serve i.t.o a person’s ID
It tells you about their ancestory, sets them apart from other people and identifies them
Why did slaves feel strongly about losing their names
They would not be as special or well known, a persons name signifies their heritage, it is special as their parent chose it just for them
How could a slave earn emancipation
She educated herself and converted to Christianity, she became a favourite of her owner
Why were mixed race relationships allowed
The VOC didn’t mind as long as everyone was working and there was a shortage of females
